Helicoid fan



Aug. 3, was F. H. CLUTE 3,198,423

HELICOID FAN Filed July 6, 1964 2 Sheets-Shea?I 1 Aug. 3, 1965 F. H.CLUTE 3,198,423

HELIGOID FAN Filed July 6, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent3,198,423 IHLICOD FAN Francis H. Clute, Rocky Ford, Colo. Filed July 6,1964, Ser. No. 384,56? 10 Claims. k(Cl. 23h-121) This invention relatesto prime movers for use in motivating mobile vehicles and, moreparticularly, to a prime mover of the type having thrust-producing fanmeans forming a part thereof.

The present invention provides mobile structure including fan meanswhich not only provides thrust force for the structure for moving thesame in a desired direction, but which creates a region of circulatoryor'cy-clonic air flow in advance of the structure and in a directionsuch that the air pressure in the region will be effectively reducedwith respect to that of the surrounding atmosphere. Thus, thedecelerating efects on the structure due to air friction will, in turn,be reduced as the structure moves through the region. rihe circulatoryair ow is caused by the specific configuration of a pair of fan sectionseach having a funnel-like housing and helically disposed blades ofspecific construction for creating the flow at particular locations withrespect to the housings.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a primemover having thrust-producing fan means for actuating the same and forgenerating a region of reduced air pressure in the direction of motionof the prime mover whereby air drag or air resistance on the prime moveris materially reduced by virtue of the reduced air pressure createdforwardly thereof to thereby permit the prime mover to be advanced Whileexpending only a small part of the thrust force to overcome thedecelerating effects of air resistance thereon.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a primemover of the aforesaid character, wherein air is caused to flow alongcirculatory, cyclonic paths forwardly of the prime mover as a result ofthe operation of helical fan blades in accelerating the air rearwardlythrough the prime mover whereby the region forwardly of the prime moverbecomes a partial vacuum as a result of the circulatory, Cyclonicmoti-on of the air in the region to thereby permit the prime mover to beadvanced throughk the region without being subjected to largedeceleratin-g forces due to ram air pressure.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a prime moverof the above described character wherein the fan blades are disposedwithin tubular, funnel-shaped housings for creating circulatory airflows through the housings in a direct-ion opposite to the direction ofmotion thereof while inducing circulatory or Cyclonic fiows of air inthe region forwardly of the housings and coextensive with the iiowsthrough the latter, whereby the air ows entering the housings arealready following circulatory paths and only a small amount of work isthen expended by the fan means in accelerating the air rearwardlythrough the housing.

Still another object of the present inven-tion is the provision of meanswithin the above described prime mover for changing the circulatory owof air therewithin to a rectilinear ilow of air as the same leaves theprime mover, whereby the thrust produced by the prime mover acts along astraight line and thus accelerates the prime mover rectilinearly in aforward direction.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of meansadjacent the air outlet of the prime mover described above forselectively dellecting the air discharged through the air outlet,whereby the direction of the line of action of the thrust force mayV beselectively varied to thereby alter the direction of movement of saidprime mover.

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In the drawings: t

FGURE 1 is a side elevational View of the fan made pursuant to thepresent invention, parts being broken away and in section to illustrate'details ofv construction;

FJG. 2 is a front elevational View of the fan showing the inlet thereof;

PEG. 3 is a view taken along line 3-.3 of FlG. l;

PEG. 4 is a view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FlG. 5 isa cross-'sectional view of the fan illustrating the helicalblades within a pair of funnel-shaped housings which induce circulatoryor cyclonic movements of air forwardly of the fan, the cyclonic motionsbeing shown in solid and dashed lines respectively; and

FlG. 6 is a fragmentary view of another form of the helical bladesutilized within the housings. Y

The air-actuated prime mover which is the subject of the presentinvention includes an outer, tubular housing within which is disposedfan means in the nature of a pair of concentric, funnel-'shaped housingseach having a number of helical fan blades rotatable about the centralaxis of said housings.

yMeans is provided for actuating the blades to rotate the same withinthe housing and thereby to create a pair of circulatory flows of airthrough and out of the housings so as to provide thrust force for themovement of the entire system in a given direction. Simultaneously, airis caused to follow circulatory Vor cy-clonic paths in the regionadjacent to and exteriorly of respective air inlet openings of thehousings. As a result, the air pressure in the region is reduced tocreate a partial vacuum so that decelerating effects on the housings andfan blades due to air friction are minimized when the prime mover movestoward and through the region.

Vane means are provided adjacent the air outlet openings of the housingsfor changing the circulatory flow of air to rectilinear flow to therebyassure that the line of action of the thrust force is rectilinear. Thesystem will then be advanced forwardly inV a str-aight line. IFurther,means is provided for selectively deflecting the -air dischargedfromt-he housings to thereby change the direction of the line of actionof the thrustforce and thereby alter the direction of motion of thesystem as desired.

The helicoid fan forming the subject of the present invention is broadlydenoted by the numeral 10 and includes an elongated, outer, tubularhousing 12 having a frusto conical side wall 14 which is open at ends 16and 18 thereof to present air inlet and air outlet openingsrespectively, the opening 16 being of a greater diameter than opening18. f

Fan means broadly denoted by the numeral 2t?, is disposed withinlhousing 12 and substantially spans the distance between openings 16 and1S thereof.V -Fan means 2i) includes an elongated shaft 22 which isjournalled in bearings V24 and 26 at the ends thereof for rotationrelative to housing 12. Bearing 24 is secured to a brace 23 havingcircumferentially spaced arms 30 extending radially from bearing 24 andterminating on and secured to the inner surface of housing 12. The totalarea of arms 3G exposed to air entering opening 16 is relatively smallin comparison with the `area of the inlet defined by openings 16. Hence,the obstruction of air entering opening 16 is negligible. e

Similarly, bearing 26 is mounted on housing 12 by virtue of a brace32having circumferentially spaced arms 34 extending radially therefromand terminating at and secured to the inner surface of housing 12 in anysuitable manner. Brace 32 is similar in all respects to braces 2S exceptthat arms 3d are shorter than arms 32. Braces 28 and 32 mount shaft 22coaxially relative to housing 12 so that the longitudinal axis of shaft22 is substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis of housing 12.Also, braces 2S and 32 are mounted substantially in the planes PatentedAug. 3, i965v Yinner surface of housing 12.

of openings 16 and 18 respectively so that shaft 22 sub- I stantiallyspans the distance betweenthe inlet and outlet openings 16 and 18.

A plurality of elongated, circumferentially spaced inner blades 36 aresecured to and spirally or helically disposed about shaft 22 along thelength thereof. As shown in FIG. 5, each blade 36 has one end adjacentto bearing 24 and has its opposite end spaced from, but in closeproximity to bearing 26. For purposes of illustration, four blades 36are shown in the drawings secured to shaft 22 for rotation therewith.Each blade 36 decreases in width as the opening 18 is approached so thatan imaginary envelope defined by and surrounding the outer peripheraledges of blades 36 would be frusto-conical and concentric to side wall14. The distance between shaft 22 and the outer peripheral edge of eachblade 36 progressively decreases as opening 18 is approached inasmuch asshaft Y22 has a uniform cross section throughout its length.

A first elongated tube 38 is disposed in surrounding relationship toshaft 22 and blades 36, tube 38 being of substantially the same lengthas blades 36. Tube 38 is frusto-conical, coaxially disposed withinhousing 12, and the helically disposed, outer peripheral edge of eachblade 36 engages and is secured to the inner surface of tube 38, thelatter thus forming a housing for blades 36 which, in turn, present witha tube 38, the inner section of fan means 20.

A plurality of elongated, circumferentially spaced, outer blades 40 aresecured to and spirally or helically disposed about the outer surface offirst tube 38 and are of substantially the same length as blades 36.Each blade 40, like blades 36, decreases in transverse width as opening18 is approached. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, there` is a blade 46 foreach blade 36 respectively, each blade 48 being superimposed on itscorresponding blade 36 so as e in surrounding relationship to tube 38and blades 40, tube 42 being of substantially the same length as tube 38and coaxial therewith. The helically disposed, outer peripheral edge ofeach blade 4t) engages and is secured to the inner surface of tube 42,the latter thus forming a housing for blades 48 which, in turn, presentwith tube 42, the outer section of fan means 20. Tube 42 is, therefore,rotatable with first tube 38 and shaft 22 relative to housing 12, itbeing noted that the outer surface of Second tube 42 is inwardly spacedfrom, but in relatively close proximity to the inner surface of housing12. l

As is clear in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, shaft 22 extends through opening 18 andprojects outwardly therefrom. A pulley 44 is secured to the end of shaft22 projecting outwardly from opening 18, and is operably coupled to anendless 'belt 46 trained about a pulley 48 on a power-actuateddeprovided for housing 12 adjacentV the outlet opening 18 i thereof.Vane means 56 includes a plurality of elongated vanes 58 of Variablelengths secured to an annular ring 60 disposed within opening 18 andsecured to the proximal Vanes 58 are substantially parallel to assurerectilinear ow of air discharged through 'outlet opening 18 from theinterior of tubes 38 and 42.

Vanes 58 are positioned between pulley 44 and the proximal ends of tubes38 and 42.

Deiiector means broadly denoted by the numeral 62, is provided onhousing 12 adjacent the outlet opening 18 thereof in longitudinallyspaced relationship to vane means 56. Deector means 62 includes a pairof elongated shafts 64 andk 66 which are perpendicular to each other andsecured to housing 12 by virtue of circumferentially spaced brackets 68and 78 respectively. Brackets 68 mount shaft 64 parallel to vanes 58,and brackets 78 mount shaft 66 transversely of vanes 58 as is clear inFIG. 3.

A pair of spaced air deflectors 72 are secured to shaft 64 and extendoutwardly therefrom in a direction away from housing 2 as is clear inFIG. 1. Deflectors 72 are each secured at one edge thereof to shaft 64so that the deectors 72 are coplanar and are shifted in an arc aboutshaft 64 when the latter is rotated. Deectors 72 define a space 74therebetween which receives a pair of spaced air deflectors 76 securedat proximal edges thereof toshaft 66. Similarly, deectors 76 define aspace 78 to accommodate and receive air deectors 72. By selectivelyrotating shafts 64 and 66, detiectors 72 and 76 will shift in onedirection or the other to thereby alter the direction of motion of theair leaving the air outlet opening 1S and thus change the direction ofthe line of action of the thrust produced by fan means 20.

In operation, fan 10 is mounted in any suitable manner on a mobilesupport broadly denoted by the numeral 88, as shown in FIG. l, support80 being secured to the outermost surface of housing 12. For purposes ofillustration only, fan 18 is shown in the drawings as being mounted withthe axes of tubes 38 and 42 in a substantially horizontal disposition.Support 88 may be of any character, for example, an airplane or avehicle designed to travel over the ground, and therefore, the nature ofsupport 80 is of no consequence other than that the same is mobile.

Operation of motor 58 by interconnecting the same with a suitable sourceof electrical power, causes shaft 22 and thereby first and second tubes38 and 42, to rotate within housing 12 in a clockwise sense when viewingFIG. 2, to create a pair of circulatory flows of air through the latterfrom opening 16 to opening 18. A first flow of air moves along acirculatory path through tube 38 by virtue of the rotation of blades 36.A second flow of air moves along a circulatory path through tube42exteriorly of tube 38. Since air is thus accelerated in a rearwarddirection toward outlet opening 18, a thrust force is exerted by theaccelerated air on blades 36 and 40 to thereby cause fan 16 to move inthe opposite or forward direction. The air flows created by blades 36and 40 are caused to change from a circulatory motion to a rectilinearmotion by vanes 58 so that the thrust force exerted on fan 18 acts alonga straight line.

As blades 36 rotate within housing 12, the same induce a circulatoryiiow or cyclonic movement of air in the region adjacent to andexteriorly or forwardly of opening 16 in alignment with tube 38. Suchinduced cyclonic movement of air reduces the air pressure in this regionsince the air particles in the region are accelerated radially outwardlyby centrifugal force in response to the movement of air particlesrearwardly thereof into housing 38. The cyclonic ow of air in the regionforwardly of opening 16 is shown in solid lines 82 in FIG. 5, and theenvelope 84 'of lines 82 is frusta-conical and is coextensive with theconfiguration of tube 38 because of the angle at which air enters thesame. The frusto-conical configuration of tube 38 thus permits a greaterarea of reduced air pressure to be created in the region than if tube 38were cylindrical.

Blades 48, upon rotation within housing 12, induce a circulatory flow orcyclonic movement of air in the zone surrounding the region within whichthe air is circulating by the rotation of blades 36. The cyclonic motionof the air in the annular zone is shown in FIG. 5 by dashed lines 86,and theY air pressure therein, like the air pressure in the aforesaidregion, is substantially reduced inasmuch as the air particles in thezone are accelerated radially outwardly by centrifugal force. Theenvelope 88 of lines 86 is substantially frusto-conical since it iscoextensive with the configuration of second tube 42 for the Same reasonas set forth above with respect to tube 38 and envelope 84. Tube 42 isthus provided with a frusto-conical configuration to increase the areaof reduced pressure in the annular zone normal to the direction ofmovement of tube 42.

As a result of the reduced air pressure in the region and zone forwardlyof inlet opening 16, fan 1t) moves into the region and zonerespectively, without being subjected to any substantial air resistanceor drag normally encountered with objects passing through theatmosphere. The decelerating effects on fan 1() will thus be minimized.The movement of fan is responsive to the thrust created by theacceleration of air passing rearwardly toward opening 13, such thrustbeing exerted in the direction opposite to the direction of movement ofair out of outlet opening 18.

The reduction of the air pressure forwardly of the inlet` opening 16 isthus responsive to the operation of the thrust-producing means of fan10, namely, fan means 20. Furthermore, since the circulatory iiowswithin and without each of the tubes 3S and 42 are substantiallycoextensive, fan means 2) is not required to create the circulatory liowat inlet opening 16. Thus, only a small amount of work is expended byfan means 2G in accelerating the fiows rearwardly. The confiigurationsand the relative dispositions of blades 36 and 40 and tubes 38 and 42provide the basis for the beneficial results set forth above inasmuch asthe blades and tubes cooperate to respectively, induce the cyclonicmovements of the air exteriorly of tubes 38 and 42 and to effect thecirculation of the air exteriorly of the tubes along paths havingdiameters greater than that of the respective inlets of tubes 38 and 42;

Structure (not shown) is preferably carried by support 80 forcontrolling the operation of motor 50 and defiector means 62, the latterbeing actuated to change the direction of air issuing from opening 18 tothereby alter the direction of the line of action of the thrust force.The outer cyclonic movement of air is superimposed on the inner cyclonicmovement of air and creates a suction which will pull fan 10 forwardly.The inner cyclonic movement creates a helicoid or removes the resistanceof air in front of fan 1G so that the latter will move forwardly in theregion of reduced air pressure with a minimum of air resistance thereon.The provision of a pair of fan sections to create cooperating Cyclonicmovements of air forwardly of fan 10 renders the same more eflicientthan if a single fan section were used.

In FIG. 6, another embodiment of fan means 20 is illustrated andincludes a plurality of spaced fins 90 secured to the outer surface offirst tube 3S disposed within housing 12. In this embodiment, thereexists a plurality of sets of fins 90, each set being sprally disposedabout tube 38 as the outlet opening 18 is approached. Further, the finsdecrease in height from tube 38 as outlet opening 18 is approached toaccommodate the frusto-conical second tube 42 and to permit the latterto oe secured to the outermost edges of fins 9).

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A helicoid fan comprising:

a mobile support;

a tubular housing rigidly secured to said support and having a pair ofaligned openings at opposed ends thereof defining an inlet and an outlettherefor;

a first fan section within said housing and including a firstfrusto-conical tube having open ends and a num,

ber of first circumferentially-spaced, helically disposed blades withinand secured at their outer peripheral edges to the inner surface of saidfirst tube, one end of said rst tube and the ends of said first bladesproximal to said one end being disposed substantially at the inlet ofsaid housing;

means mounting said first section to said housing for rotation about thelongitudinal axis of said first tube, the outer surface of the latterbeing spaced inwardly from the inner surface of said housing;

a second fan section secured to said first section for rotationtherewith and disposed between said housing and said first tube, saidsecond section including a second truste-conical tube concentric to saidfirst tube and having open ends, and a number of second, cir--cumferentially spaced helically disposed blades between said rstandsecond tubes and secured at the inner and outerperipheral edges to theproximal surfaces of said Afirst and second tubes respectively, one endof saidsecond tube and the ends of said second blades proximaltrtosaid'one end of the second tube being disposedsubstantially at the inletofsaid housing, the. diameters of said-first and'secondtubesprogressivelydecreasing as saidfoutlet is approached; means secured tosaid housing across said outlet for controlling the direction ofmovement of air passing out of the housing through said outlet tothereby permit control of the line of action of the thrust produced bythe rearward acceleration of the air in response to the rotation of saidfirst and second blades; and means for rotating said first section,whereby said first and second blades accelerate the air entering saidinlet rearwardly of said housing and induce respective circulatory flowsof air toward said inlet from the region forwardly thereof with saidflows having envelopes coextensive with respective tubes to therebyeffect a reduction in the air pressure in said region and the minimizingof decelerating effects on said housing and fan sections as the samemove into the region. n

2. A helicoid fan as set forth in claim 1, wherein said housing isprovided with a frusto-conical side wall, said second tube being spacedfrom and in relatively close proximity to said side wall.

3. A helicoid fan as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mounting meansincludes a shaft disposed centrally of the housing and a pair of bracesacross the inlet and outlet respectively, for securing the ends of theshaft to the housing, each of said braces having an area exposed to theflow of air adjacent thereto substantially less than the area of theopening at the corresponding end of the housing.

4. A helicoid fan as set forth in claim 1, wherein the opposite ends ofsaid first and second tubes and the ends of said first and second bladesproximal to said opposite ends are spaced from, in relatively closeproximity to, and forwardly of said controlling means.

.5. A helicoid fan as set forth in claim 1, wherein is provided a secondblade for each first blade respectively, said second blades beingsuperimposed relative to respective first blades to present radialextensions thereof.

6. A helicoid fan as set forth in claim 1, wherein said housing isprovided with a frusto-conical side wall, said second tube being spacedfrom and in relatively close proximity to said side wall, there being asecond blade for each first blade respectively, said second blades beingsuperimposed relative to respective first blades to present radialextensions thereof.

7. A helicoid fan as set forth in claim 1, wherein said controllingmeans includes al plurality of vanes perpen dicular to the longitudinalaxis of said housing and having faces parallel to said axis, and adeflector shiftably mounted on the housing rearwardly of said vanes anddisposed for deecting the air fiowing rearwardly from said outlet.

8. A helicoid fan as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mounting meansincludes a shaft, said housing having a frustoconical side wall, saidfirst and second tubes and said side wall being coaxial with said shaft.

9. A helicoid fan as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said firstand second blades is continuous between the ends thereof.

10. A helicoid fan as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said firstand second blades includes a plurality of spaced blade sections.

(References on following page) 7 Y 8 References Cited by the ExaminerFOREIGN PATENTS UNITED STATES PATENTS 478,959 7/29 Germany.

1/84 Fanly 103 g9 4,260 1836 France.

g/36 Lamm 2532.143 Y 2,851 1880 Great Britain,

4/95 Erb 23() 12() 5 10,114 1914 Great Britain.

6/ 24 Jensen 60-35.5 11/31 Daniels 230 122 JOSEPH H. BRANSON, JR.,Pl'lmlll'y Extlmller. 11/43 Atkins 230-122 HENRY F, RADUAZO, Examiner.

5/52 Mosher 103-89 lo 4/56 Hait .1 230-120 X

1. A HELICOID FAN COMPRISING: A MOBILE SUPPORT; A TUBULAR HOUSINGRIGIDLY SECURED TO SAID SUPPORT AND HAVING A PAIR OF ALIGNED OPENING ATOPPOSED ENDS THEREOF DEFNING AN INLET AND AN OUTLE THEREFOR; A FIRST FANSECTION WITHIN SAID HOUSING AND INCLUDING A FIRST FRUSTO-CONICAL TUBEHAVING OPEN ENDS AND A NUMBR OF FIRST CIRCUMDREENTIALLY-SPACED,HELICALLY DISPOSED BLADES WITHIN AND SECURED AT THEIR OUTER PERIPHERALEDGES TO THE INNER SURFACE OF SAID FIRSTT TUBE, ONE END OF THE SAIDFIRST TUBE AND THE ENDS OF SAID FIRST BLADES PROXIMAL TO SAID ONE ENDBEING DISPOSED SUBSTANTIALLY AT THE INLET OF SAID HOUSING; MEANSMOUNTING SAID FIRST SECTION TO SAID HOUSING FOR ROTATION ABOUT THELONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID FIRST TUBE, THE OUTER SURFACE OF THE LATTERBEING SPACED INWARDLY FROM THE INNER SURFACE OF SAID HOUSING; A SECONDFAN SEACTION SECURED TO SAID FIRST SECTION FOR PROTATION THEREWITH ANDDISPOSED BETWEEN SAID HOUSING AND SAID FIRST TUBE, SAID SECOND SECTIONINCLUDING A SECOND FRUSTO-CONICAL TUBE CONCENTRIC TO SAID FIRST TUBE ANDHAVING OPEN ENDS, AND A NUMBER OF SECOND, CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED,HELICALLY DISPOSED BLADES BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND TUBES ANDSECURED AT THE INNER AND OUTER PERIPHERAL EDGES TO THE PROXIMAL SURFACESOF SAID FIRST AND SECOND TUBES RESPECTIVELY, ONE END OF SAID SECOND TUBEAND THE ENDS OF SAID SECOND BLADES PROXIMAL TO SAID ONE END OF THESECOND TUBE BEING DISPOSED SUBSTANTIALLY AT THE INLET OF SAID HOUSING,THE DIAMETERS OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND TUBES PROGRESSIVELY DECREASING ASSAID OUTLET IS APPROACHED; MEANS SECURED TO SAID HOUSING ACROSS SAIDOUTLET FOR CONTROLLING THE DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT OF AIR PASSING OUT OFTHE HOUSING THROUGH SAID OUTLET TO THEREBY PERMIT CONTROL OF THE LINE OFACTION OF THE THRUST PRODUCED BY THE REARWARD ACCELERATION OF THE AIR INRESPONSE TO THE ROTATION OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND BLADES; AND MEANS FORROTATING SAID FIRST SECTION, WHEREBY SAID FIRST AND SECOND BLADESACCELERATE THE AIR ENTERING SAID INLET REARWARDLY OF SAID HOUSING ANDINDUCE RESPECTIVE CICRULATORY FLOW OF AIR TOWARD SAID INLET FROM THEREGION FORWARDLY THEREOF WITH SAID FLOWS HAVING ENVELOPES COEXTENSIVEWITH RESPECTIVE TUBES TO THEREBY EFFECT A REDUCTION IN THE AIR PRESSUREIN SAID REGION AND THE MINIMIZING OF DECELERATING EFFECTS ON SAIDHOUSING AND FAN SECTIONS AS THE SAME MOVE INTO THE REGION.